Joey Kenward's WHL Play-off Update

Posted 4:56 AM ET | Comments 1

<center>Joey Kenward is the play-by-play voice of the defending
Memorial Cup champion WHL Vancouver Giants.
__________________</center>
Now that the 2008 Playoffs are underway in the WHL, I thought I might provide a quick recap of how each series has gone to this point. The Western Conference match-ups on paper are not nearly as close as those in the East, based primarily on how the clubs finished off in the regular season. However, don’t be surprised if a lot of these series wrap up in four or five games.

<center>***WESTERN CONFERENCE***

Tri City Americans (1) vs Kamloops Blazers (8)
Americans Lead Series 2-0</center>
No surprise here as the Americans are on a real high after capturing their 1st WHL regular season championship. Featuring maybe the best trio of 20 year-olds on any team in the Canadian Hockey League, the Americans got a lot of mileage this year out of forwards Colton Yellow Horn and Shaun Vey along with d-man and Los Angeles Kings prospect T.J. Fast. The Ams have averaged over 40 shots in the first two games of the series, winning 6-1 in the opener and 4-1 in Game 2. Netminder Chet Pickard, who likely will be a 1st round NHL draft pick next summer, has had little work in trying to shut down the Blazers which went into the tank heading into the playoffs with only one win in their last 15 games.

<center>Vancouver Giants (2) vs Chilliwack Bruins (7)
Giants Lead Series 2-0</center>
For the second straight season these two rivals meet each other in the 1st round. The Giants went 8-0-1-1 against the Bruins in the regular season, out-scoring the sophomore squad 38-15. However this series could easily be 2-0 in favour of Chilliwack. Giants took Game 1 by a 2-1 final while Vancouver scored in the last minute of Game 2 to win 3-2 with Florida Panthers' prospect Michal Repik, last year’s leading scorer in the WHL playoffs, beingn in on every Giants' goal so far (3g,2a

. Giants' MVP and Atlanta Thrashers' draft pick Spencer Machacek has scored two power play goals while netminder and San Jose Sharks' future puckstopper Tyson Sexsmith sports a goals against average of 1.50. Bruins' LW Mark Santorelli is coming off a season which saw him win a WHL scoring title. The Nashville Predators' prospect had 101 points for Chilliwack (27g, 74a

, and has a goal and two helpers in this series. L.A. Kings pick Oscar Moller has scored two power play goals to make things interesting as this series now shifts to Chilliwack.

<center>Spokane Chiefs (3) vs Everett Silvertips (6)
Chiefs Lead Series 2-0</center>
Spokane, the team sporting the best road record in the WHL this season took advantage of opening the series at home with two wins. Drayson Bowman (Carolina Hurricanes), the Chiefs top scorer from the season, had two goals in their 5-2 series opener while import forward Ondrej Roman (Dallas Stars) had two of his own in a 4-1 victory in Game 2. Silvertips' forward Kyle Beach, projected to be a Top 10 pick in next summer’s draft, is without a point and a -2. The Tips aren’t out of it yet, however, as the next three games of the series are scheduled to be played in Everett.

<center>Seattle Thunderbirds (4) vs Kelowna Rockets (5)
Rockets Lead Series 2-1</center>
While only seven points separated the two clubs during the season, Kelowna stole two wins from the Emerald City to open the series. California-born forward Colin Long led all Rockets in scoring with 100 points (31g, 69a

during the season. He had three assists in Kelowna’s 3-2 triumph in Game 1 and the winner in their 3-1 victory in Game 2. David Richard kept Seattle from avoiding a possible sweep scenario as his hat-trick performance led the T-Birds who were 3-2 winners in overtime in Game 3 in Kelowna.

<center>***EASTERN CONFERENCE***

Calgary Hitmen (1) vs Moose Jaw Warriors (8)
Series Tied 1-1</center>
The Hitman -- the highest scoring team in the East this season -- saw eight of their skaters collect points in their 5-1 series opening win at the Saddledome. The Washington Capitals' standout prospect Karl Alzner scored his 1st of the post season for Calgary. The Warriors, featuring one of the biggest squads in the league, rallied back in a big way in Game 2 by a 4-2 margin. Don’t be surprised if this series goes the distance. And if it does, Game 7 will take place April 1 at the old home of the Flames. That’s no April Fool’s joke either as a building conflict would see the Hitmen have to use the Corral for the series finale.

<center>Regina Pats (2) vs Swift Current Broncos (7)
Series Tied 1-1</center>
Two Saskatchewan rivals have used the power play to their advantage to split this series. Highly touted defensive prospect Colten Teubert scored for the Pats in their 2-1 series-opener win on a night which saw the two clubs combine for 14 power plays. In Game 2, another highly touted prospect and Pats top scorer Jordan Eberle picked up a major penalty for boarding and that allowed the Broncos to roll on to a 5-3 win. Eberle will miss Game 3 in Swift Current.

<center>Lethbridge Hurricanes (3) vs Brandon Wheat Kings (6)
Hurricanes Leads Series 2-0</center>
Perhaps the most skilled team in the conference, the Hurricanes have used experience to their advantage so far in this series. Future 1st round NHL pick Zach Boychuk had the game winning goal and a helper in the Canes 2-1 victory in Game 1. Luca Sbisa, another highly touted draft prospect on defence, had a two-point night in their 4-3 home ice win in Game 2. This series now shifts to Brandon as the Wheaties will again look to their standout rookie line of Brayden Schenn (16), Scott Glennie (16), and Matt Calvert (17) to get them back into the series.

<center>Medicine Hat Tigers (4) vs Kootenay Ice (5)
Ice Lead Series 2-0</center>
Maybe the biggest surprise so far…or is it? The Tigers are the defending WHL playoff champs, but they finished just one point ahead of the Ice in the standings. Montreal Canadiens' draft pick Ben Maxwell netted two goals in a 5-2 series opening victory. The next night, Swiss-born forward and draft eligble prospect Arnaud Jacquemet played hero for the Cranbrook squad. He netted the tying goal with 0.2 seconds left on the clock and then potted the winner 33 seconds into overtime in a 4-3 comeback win. It will be interesting to see how demoralized the Tigers are, if at all, as this series now shifts to Cranbrook.

Filed Under: vancouver giants chl whl junior hockey

blueline

March 25, 2008 1:43 PM ET | Delete
Mark Santorelli - hoping for a great future for both Mark and his older brother Mike. (With the Preds, of course.) Thanks for posting Joey Kenward's informative and nicely presented WHL update, Scoop.

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